Deanne Vochatzer, USTFCCCA Class of 2002

Last updated: March 26, 2009

Deanne Vochatzer is the head women’s track & field coach at the University of California at Davis and was head women’s coach of the 1996 Olympic Track & Field Team. Vochatzer was named NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 1990, 1991, and 1999.

Vochatzer graduated in 1971 from Chico State with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. She continued to serve her alma mater from 1972-75 as women’s track and cross country coach, where her teams won every conference championship contested during that time.

In 1976, Vochatzer moved to Florida, where she stayed busy coaching, owning and managing an apparel company, and earning a master’s degree. Vochatzer owned and managed One-Der-Wear, Inc., and from 1977-79, Vochatzer served as the women’s head cross country and track & field coach at the University of Florida.

In 1980, Vochatzer returned to the West Coast as she took the reins of athletic director at Presentation High School in San Jose, a position she held through 1987. She also coached track & field and cross country at Presentation.

Vochatzer accepted a position at UC Davis in 1987, where she taught and worked with the women’s program. In 1988, she also began working as an assistant to the UC Davis men’s program. Vochatzer then moved to Cal Poly as head women’s coach for both track and cross country from 1989-90, before returning to the Davis campus in 1990-91 as head women’s track & field coach.

In addition to numerous All Americans and all-conference performers who have achieved success under her guidance, three UC Davis track standouts – middle distance runner Jamila Demby, hurdler Kameelah Elarms, and sprinter Tanisha Silas – have been named as finalists for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. Demby won thr award in 1999, and Silas captured the honor in 2002. Elarms advanced to the top ten in 2001.

Her national and international coaching experience stretches back to 1979, when she served as an aide to that year’s Sports Festival team, a role she repeated in 1981. From 1982-87, Vochatzer served as assistant coordinator for women athletes with the U.S. Olympic Festival, and she served as the main coordinator from 1987 to 1994. She is a consultant for Nike, the National High School Coaches Association, and the U.S. Justice Department on Alcohol & Drug Education for Athletics.

Vochatzer was one of the lead presenters in Sacramento’s successful bid to host the 2000 Olympic Trials, for which she served as Director of Competition. She earned USATF’s prestigious Joe Robichaux Award in 2001 for her contributions as an organizer.